Journal of a cruise in the US ship, Vincennes, to the North Pacific Ocean, China Sea, Behring Strait, etc. by William Stimpson, 1853-1855
Page 79
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Transcription
December 1853 Southern Ocean. 62 7th S. Lat. 44°33' E. Lon. 107°44' Wind N. Av 9 k Today a bird was seen which was new to us. It was of the size of the Diomedea chlororynchus? (r-20) but had longer and more arcuated wings, and looked like a large Shearwater. Wings black above and below; neck white above; head with greyish sides; tail-cover white. Bill large. Another bird, also new to us was seen 8-day. It had the appearance and flight of the "Whale Bird" and was a little larger than the Cape Pigeon. Wings long, arcuated, brown above and below. Body grey above; - below, neck, breast and tail white. Tail above white. Head white, with a black longitudinal line over the eyes, and a black bride under the chin. At a quarter past six in the after-noon we crossed the Antipodes of the Meridian of Boston - the true anti-podes of a point some ways to the North of it, near Umbogez Lake in Maine. 8th S. Lat. 45°14' E. Lon. 112°19' Wind N.E 7 km. 9th S. Lat. 46°11' E. Lon. 117°6' " N. 9 km The temperature of the air is now 51° - that of the water 49° - December 1853 Southern Ocean. 63 10th S. Lat. 46°39' E. Lon. 122°20' Wind N. Av 8 km. The bird noticed on the 5th inst, as reserving V-23, was seen for the last time to-day. The most southern latitude passed in this voyage is now reached 11th S. Lat. 46°26' E. Lon. 126°41' Wind N.W. Av 7 km. Today is Sunday, but as usual in this latitude, at least in my experience, the weather permitted neither the perform-ance of Divine Service, nor the Muster of the Ships Company. 12th S. lat. 46°19' E. Lon. 130°11' Wind N.W. Av 6 k. We still pass floating Kelp in consider-able quantities. Each bunch consists of a cluster of elongated fronds like those of Laminaria, radiating from a thick or-rate central stalk. Another of the white-bellied Porpoises was killed today. The weather is now quite pleasant. 13th S. Lat. 46°12' E. Lon. 134°41' Wind N.W Av 6 k 14th S. Lat. 45°42' E. Lon. 139°37' Wind W " 9 k A pure white bird, of the size of D. fuliginosus, but rather the shape of D. exulans, was seen today. While looking at it I could scarce helps concluding that it, and D. chlororynchus? also, were among the numerous varieties